Today's teens are always connected. They live out their lives online and in the public eye. They share photos on Instagram, tweet live from concerts, and message their friends instead of calling. But sometimes teens don't make wise choices about what they're posting, sharing, or texting. And, one impulsive decision can affect their lives for years to come. Although statistics on sexting varies, a report in the June edition of JAMA Pediatrics revealed that at least one in seven teens engages in sexting.

But for teens who do sext, there are both psychological and legal risks, especially if coercion is involved and the images wind up being distributed beyond their intended audience. Sexting is certainly not just a teen issue, but these tips are specifically for teens and parents of teens. Scroll down for tips for both parents and teens. There are also cases where the teen is responding to peer pressure, bullying or even threats. In rarer cases, adults solicit images from teens. Possible consequences : The consequences of sexting can range from nothing at all to extremely serious.

In April, residents of Louisa County, Va. When Hanna Rosin asked teens from Louisa County High School how many people they knew who had sexted, a lot of them replied: "Everyone. In her report on the Louisa County scandal for The Atlantic, Rosin set out to address the question, why are so many teenagers sending each other nude photos?

Sexting or "sex texting" is sending or getting sexually explicit or suggestive images, messages, or video on a smartphone or through the Internet. Most teens have various ways to get online, Smartphones, tablets, and laptops all can be used in private. It's very easy for teens to create and share personal photos and videos of themselves without their parents knowing about it. Girls may sext as a joke, as a way of getting attention, or because of peer pressure or pressure from guys. Guys sometimes blame "pressure from friends.